Quick-donning full face oxygen mask with inflatable harness and soft foldable lens

ABSTRACT

A mask and harness system for use in providing breathing oxygen and protection from pollutants for the eyes and respiratory system as might be encountered in high altitude aviation environments. In one preferred embodiment, the mask system has a face seal, a soft flexible lens, a pneumatically-actuated harness, and a regulator with microphone to control the flow of oxygen and to facilitate communications in aircraft flight decks and other aircraft compartments. The system is designed for required five-second donning with one hand and because of the flexible lens, is capable of storage in the relatively preferred on crowded flight decks. It is connected to an oxygen source and, optionally, with aircraft communications. The regulator controls the flow rate of oxygen to the wearer based on altitude and physiological requirements. The regulator includes a valve for purging the condensation-prone moist gases from the lens area and provides positive pressure in the mask. A second preferred embodiment molds the lens and mask seal of a single material having sufficient optical quality and flexibility to accomplish both purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to face mask systems for protection fromatmospheric pollutants and the supply of oxygen to the mask wearer andmore particularly to mask systems to supply oxygen for use inoxygen-depleted environments during aircraft decompression, smoke fromonboard fires, airborne debris or other toxic gases which may enter theaircraft flight deck or other crew compartments.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] In the course of aircraft operation, various personnel, includingbut not limited to pilots, navigation officers, and other flight crewpersonnel, may need a mask system to provide breathing oxygen and alsoto provide protection from smoke from onboard fires and other possibleairborne eye and lung irritants which may enter the crew compartment(s).There is a requirement in the commercial aviation industry that themasks designed for crew usage be capable of donning in five seconds orless, be able to be donned over eyeglasses and be capable of supplyingoxygen consistent with physiological demands at altitudes up to 40,000feet.

[0005] Provisions for stowage of the mask must be sensitive to both thequick-donning requirements and the very limited space and volumeavailable in the aircraft flight decks, and it is particularly desirablethat mask storage be compact enough that it is easily placeable withinthe flight deck in a position close to and convenient to the crewmemberwhen he or she is seated at his or her station. It is also highlydesirable that the mask be capable of accommodating a wide variety offacial sizes and configurations while still adequately sealing the facefrom the external environment.

[0006] Since the mask is to be used by crewmembers in an environmentthat may be highly stressful, both in terms of the visual tasks and thevisibility afforded in the presence of smoke and the like, it isimportant that the mask provide an acceptable level of optical clarityand freedom from distortion consistent with the other desirablecharacteristics of the mask. Another desirable characteristic is thatthe mask provide, to the extent possible for a stowable mask, protectionfrom impingement on the face of airborne debris and pollutants, andprotection of the eyes in particular from the windborne type of debristhat could be present from an explosive decompression or other breach ofthe windshield system in a large aircraft. Prior art crew masks haveaddressed these problems with masks incorporating rigid lenses mountedin an otherwise flexible mask, or by combinations of goggles and oxygenmasks. While these masks have been functionally useful, they offerdisadvantages in field of view, adaptability to a wide range of headsizes and configurations, the ability to be rapidly donned over glassesand stowability in small areas in the cockpit of the aircraft near thecrewmember. The present invention provides improved solutions to all ofthese problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is for a stowable mask that meets a numberof stringent and difficult environmental and functional requirements foruse in circumstances that typically exist in a pressurized aircraftafter decompression or in the event of an in-flight emergency thatcauses smoke or debris to intrude into the flight deck. In the eventthat such an event occurs, it is recognized that the continued abilityof the flight crew to operate with a high degree of competence iscritical to the prevention of loss of life and property, and thus theavailability of such masks and their functionality is highly desirablefor such aircraft.

[0008] Because of the recognition of the benefits of such mask systems,it has also become common to require the availability of such masks tomany who may during the course of their occupations be exposed to suchhazards and who must perform critical tasks during such exposure.Particularly in the case of aircraft, it is highly desirable that suchmasks take up the smallest amount of stowage space prior to use in orderto make them available to the seated user at his station and to avoidtaking up the limited space in the flight deck. Thus, the instrumentpanel or side panels at the crew station are preferred locations forthis equipment. It is important that the mask be stowed in a mannerwhich allows for the quick-donning and also does not interfere withnormal aircraft operation. As the mask is likely to be installed on bothexisting, as well as new aircraft, it is an important feature of theinvention that the mask fit in existing cavities already defined forsuch equipment.

[0009] The present invention provides a mask assembly which meets therequirements of quick-donning for the wearer who may be faced withhazardous flight conditions. The invention has the further benefit ofimproved quick donning capability over eyewear, such as glasses, beingworn by the user. Since it is often the case that an inflight emergencyis followed by a fairly long period during which the crewmembers mustoperate in the hazardous environment and guide the aircraft to a safelanding, the mask of the present invention is also configured to becomfortable when worn for extended periods of time. Such a feature isparticularly important in light of certain regulations of some aviationregulatory bodies which require that the mask be worn by one crewmemberat all times. There are also requirements by some regulatory bodies forusage of the mask when a crewmember exits the flight deck. Otherextended operations scenarios may call for wearing the mask for threehours or more and thus comfort of wear is highly desirable.

[0010] It is weal recognized that the primary purpose of the inventionis to limit infiltration of pollutants and provide adequatephysiological oxygen volumes for the hazardous environment resultingfrom either aircraft decompression or hazardous gases, not limited tosmoke, which may enter the crew compartment(s).

[0011] In a presently preferred embodiment, a feature of the inventionis the ability to provide an emergency breathing device in which theflow of oxygen is adjustable according to physiological requirements.Whether this feature is a requirement is determined by the regulatorybodies having jurisdiction over the regions in which the aircraftoperates. It is also important that the mask, once donned, leaves bothhands of the wearer free to perform his duties and that the mask providethe necessary field of view to perform those functions. Accordingly, theinvention is designed to not only provide a wide field of view, but alsoprovide vented oxygen to purge the volume around the eyes and to preventcondensation on the lens interior surfaces. Since part of the crew'sfunctions will inevitably include communication with other crewmembersand ground controllers, the invention can also provide an integratedmicrophone enabling continued communications between aircraft crew andground stations once the mask is worn.

[0012] In order to provide the above benefits, the present inventionutilizes a flexible lens instead of the rigid or semi-rigid lens ofprior art emergency crew masks, which, when combined with a flexiblematerial utilized in the balance of the mask, allows the mask to berolled up into a relatively small package for stowage on a flight deck.It has been found that the flexible lens of the present system, whencombined with the flexible face seal of the mask, provides improvedbenefits in the ability to accommodate a wide variety of face and headsizes. The invention also includes, in combination with the flexiblelens and flexible face seal, an inflatable harness, the inflation beingprovided and controlled by an oxygen regulator which also providesbreathing oxygen to the wearer. A portion of the oxygen for consumptionby the wearer may also be distributed around the wearer's eyes in orderto purge and clear the lens in conditions conducive to fogging and eyeirritation.

[0013] In a presently preferred embodiment, the invention includes aflexible elastomeric lens that is molded into a flexible face sealsurrounding the lens. The face seal includes mounting points for aninflatable harness extending from the mask around the back of thewearer's head. In this embodiment, the inflatable harness is made offlexible elastomeric tubing surrounded by a flame resistant covering ofNomex® or the like and includes connectors between the inflatable tubingand the mask to keep the desired form and shape of the harness wheninflated. The connectors can include adjustable straps to vary the sizeof the harness to fit a variety of head sizes. The mask seal is moldedto receive a regulator which supplies oxygen or breathing gas to thewearer and also supplies gas to the inflatable harness by a suitablepassage. The mask can also include passages from the regulator to theinterior of the lens to purge and clear the interior of the lens duringwear. The mask assembly may also be made by molding the entire mask of aflexible optically transparent silicone or other suitable plastic whichcan maintain optical quality in the lens region and has the otherfeatures described above. The lens area of either embodiment may becoated with an abrasion resistant material such as urethane to preventdamage to the lens prior to and during use. In either construction, amicrophone can also be incorporated into the mask to allow continuedconversation between the crewmember and the electronic communicationsystem in the aircraft. Similarly, provisions can be made in the mask toaccommodate headsets or earpieces for the crewmember, if required.

[0014] From the above it will be seen that the invention provides animproved mask for use by aircraft flight crews during the event of adepressurization or smoke in the cockpit, and also improves the comfortlevel, visibility and storability of the mask, as well as offering highperformance with regard to isolation of the wearer from the hostileenvironment. Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the crew mask of the presentinvention, illustrating the general arrangement of the components.

[0016]FIG. 2A is an illustration of the prior art mask and theassociated stowage volume for such a mask.

[0017]FIG. 2B is perspective view of the mask of the present inventionillustrating the stowage volume for the mask of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 3A is a vertical view of the prior art masks and theirrelationship to the range of head sizes to be accommodated by the mask.

[0019]FIG. 3B is a vertical view of the present invention maskillustrating the ability of the mask to accommodate to the appropriaterange of head sizes.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a side view of the mask of the present inventionillustrating the sealing portions of the mask and their relationship tothe lens in the face of the wearer.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a vertical view of the mask illustrating the field ofview of the eyes of the wearer and the accommodation of the field ofview by the present invention and prior art lenses.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of theinflatable mask harness.

[0023]FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of a second embodiment of theinflatable mask of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of a third embodiment of theinflatable harness of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theinflatable harness of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] As shown in the exemplary drawings, a first presently preferredembodiment of the present invention is embodied in a flexible, full facecoverage mask for use by aircraft flight crews which includes a flexiblelens sealingly molded in to the face seal. The mask also incorporates aninflatable harness which is inflated by the breathing oxygen regulatedby a regulator incorporated into the face mask. The mask also providesfor purging of the interior of the flexible lens by gas from theregulator in order to retard fogging and other obscuration of the viewout of the lens by the wearer. The entire assembly is capable of beingrolled up into a relatively small package, which facilitates itsinstallation within the limited available space readily at hand to theseated crewmember on the flight deck. In a second presently preferredembodiment, the entire flexible mask portion, including the lens, can beformed of a single unit, either through use of an insert molded into thebalance of the mask or by use of an elastomeric transparent material forthe entire face mask portion of the assembly.

[0027]FIG. 1 illustrates a general arrangement of a first preferredembodiment of the present invention. The mask assembly 10 includes aface seal molding 12 formed to fit around the periphery of the face ofthe wearer and receive a flexible lens 14 which is bonded or insertedinto the elastomeric face seal 12. The lower forward portion of the faceseal 12 incorporates a portion which includes an oxygen supply regulatorassembly 16 removably attached to the lower forward portion of the mask.The regulator 16 supplies breathing oxygen to the mask wearer throughports internal to the lower forward portion of the face seal 12, andalso supplies oxygen or other breathing gas mixtures to an inflatableharness 18 connected to the breathing gas regulator and the face seal 12via suitable gas passages and connectors in the mask. Connecting straps20 and 22 are then similarly connected at their extremities to aconnector 24 which may also be adjustable to provide means to adjust forthe size and comfort of the mask once inflated. A further connector 26connects strap 20 to the inflatable portion 18 of the harness assembly.

[0028] In a presently preferred embodiment, a clear flexible elastomericlens 14 is either bonded or inserted into a receptacle in theelastomeric face seal 12. The use of the flexible lens in concert withthe elastomeric face seal of the invention serves to improve the abilityof the mask to seal out toxic or vision impairing gases. These improvedface sealing characteristics also improve the oxygen consumptionperformance of the mask, as there is less leakage over a wider varietyof face configurations. The oxygen supply for the mask is provided byoxygen supply tube 28 connected to regulator 16. In order to facilitatecommunication, the mask may also incorporate a microphone (not shown)which is connected to the aircraft communication system by electricalwiring 30, which may be concurrently routed with oxygen supply tube 28.

[0029] Certain benefits of the present invention may be betterunderstood by reference to FIG. 2, which illustrates the difference insize and configuration of the present invention as compared to prior artaircraft emergency crew masks incorporating rigid lens assemblies. Asillustrated in the prior art, FIG. 2A, a mask 32 incorporating a rigidlens assembly 34 of necessity requires a fairly large enclosure 36 intowhich the mask must fit to account for the inflexibility of the lens,regardless of the flexibility of the balance of the mask assembly. Incontrast, by use of the flexible lens, flexible face seal and inflatableharness of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the maskmay be rolled so that lens 14 and face seal 12 consume a substantiallysmaller volume 38 as compared to prior art masks. This feature of theinvention allows the mask to be mounted in a considerably smaller spacewithin the aircraft and possibly be placed more conveniently to hand ofthe crewmember during times of emergency. In light of the increasedcomplexity and sophistication of modern aircraft, and the use of fewercrewmembers compared to previous equally complex aircraft, flight deckvolume has been in short supply and thus the smaller envelope of thestowed mask of the present invention represents a substantial advantageover prior art emergency crew masks.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3A illustrates how the presentinvention readily adapts to faces of various sizes more easily thanprior art masks. More specifically, referring to FIG. 3A, whichillustrates both large 40 and small 42 heads which may be required to beaccommodated by emergency flight crew masks assemblies, it may be seenthat a conventional rigid mask lens assembly 34 incorporated intoconventional mask face seal 44 cannot accommodate this range of headsizes without highly compliant seals provided at the edges of the lensand at the edges of the face seal. Comparing the flexibility of thepresent lens assembly and the face seal illustrated in phantom as 46shows the relatively small amount of flexibility available in a priorart lens assembly to accommodate the range of head sizes desired.Referring to FIG. 3B, it may be seen that the same head sizes 40 and 42may be more readily accommodated by the present invention. Morespecifically, it can be seen that the flexible integrated mask and lensassembly 48 can deflect over a substantially greater range asillustrated in phantom by dotted lines 50 to more easily accommodate therequired range of head sizes. Furthermore, such accommodation isaccomplished without the requirements for high compliance seals at theedges of the lens assembly in order to bridge the difference in rigiditybetween a rigid lens and a soft face seal, and the stresses on the sealbetween the lens and the face seal are substantially reduced by theincreased flexibility of the lens of the present invention. Because ofthe lens flexibility in the present invention, the entire face seal canthen flex more to varying head and face sizes. Another benefit of thepresent invention is that since the soft lens is intentionally flexedwith the face seal by the combination to the face of the user inresponse to the inflatable harness, less face seal frame structure isneeded than in hard lens designs which must include an adequatestructure to support the rigid lens.

[0031]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the flexible mask and lensassembly of the present invention, illustrating the ease with which themask both accommodates to the face of the user and provides a seal withthe user's face. Referring to FIG. 4, which illustrates a crosssectional view of the mask assembly of the present invention on the faceof the user, it can be seen that the flexible face seal portion 12conforms closely with the face of the wearer 52, thereby providing anexcellent seal for the mask for a variety of face configurations andsurfaces. Flexible lens 14 is sealingly attached to face seal 12 atpositions 54, 56, allowing face seal 12 to conform closely to thewearer's face by deflecting to accommodate any of a variety of facialconfigurations. A nose bridge seal portion 58 is molded into the faceseal 12 in order to provide a particularly compliant configuration forsealing across the nose bridge of the wearer.

[0032]FIG. 5 is an illustration of a vertical aspect illustrating thefield of view of a wearer, and showing the superior accommodation offields of view of a wearer by the present invention. The wearer 60,whose eyeballs 62 are capable of a field of view e is ordinarily limitedby the field of view of a rigid lens of the type utilized in the priorart 64. Such a rigid or semi-rigid lens, while providing good opticalquality, does not allow for a broad field of view and this may havecertain important limitations, particularly in the event of emergencycircumstances for a flight crew in an aircraft. By contrast, the presentinvention lens 14 is capable of deflection over a far wider region ofthe wearer's face while maintaining acceptable optical quality, thusallowing for a full view through the optical portion of the mask of thefield of view e of the user's eyes 62. This wide field of view isfurther enhanced by the ability to provide a closely fitting mask on theside portions of the face by use of the flexible lens 14 and flexibleface seal 12 which can conform tightly with the forward side portions ofthe wearer's face.

[0033]FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate a variety of configurations which maybe used for the inflatable harness in order to provide close fitting andcomfort for the wearer of the mask of the present invention. Theinflatable portion of FIG. 6 includes both a lateral wrap-aroundelastomeric tube 66 and a central circular elastomeric tube 68 which areconnected to one another by a harness connection 70 and into the mask byadjustable straps 72. A similar configuration is illustrated in FIG. 7,in which a single inflatable tube 66 is configured to assume a similarshape to that of FIG. 60 by connectors 74, thereby gaining the benefitof a single continuous tube to be used for the inflatable harnessassembly. Similarly to FIG. 6 the inflatable portion of the harness isthen attached to the face seal by straps 72. FIG. 8 illustrates afurther variation in which the inflatable assembly consists of both atop and bottom lateral tube 66, 76 connected by a vertical tube 80, allof which are supplied with air via the regulator in the forward portionof the mask. FIG. 9 illustrates yet another configuration for theharness which may be advantageously used with the invention. In thisembodiment elastomeric tubes 82, 84 are attached to mask face seal 12 byconnectors. 86 and are held in place in the crossed position behind thewearer's head by retainer 88. A strap 90 also serves to preserve theshape of the harness during use.

[0034] It is important that the lens of the present system havesufficient optical quality and resistance to abrasion and other damageto function similarly to the rigid and semi-rigid lenses of prior artmasks. It is well known that a number of formulations of silicone existthat provide resistances to yellowing and other optical degradationsufficient for use in a mask which must be stored for long periods oftime prior to use. One such material which should be suitable for thispurpose as a lens material is General Electric SE6800-D2 silicone in the“clear” peroxide cured molding grade. Other clear, flexible plasticmaterials with optical transmittance in the 80% range may also besuitable, depending on the detail design of the mask. There are alsoscratch resistant additives and coatings that are available for siliconeformulations which enhance the ability of the lens to maintain opticalquality when subject to abrasion. One such scratch resistant coatinginvolves the coating of the lens with urethane. In a presently preferredembodiment, the invention involves the use of a urethane coated siliconelens bonded to the silicone based face seal by use of the followingprocess. The lens is premolded out of silicone and coated with anabrasion resistive coating, such as urethane. The lens is then placed ina mold which is designed to receive the lens and mold the liquid maskmaterial around the lens and other inserts, if any, such as the harnessmounting hardware and regulator mounting assembly. The lens perimeterand mask seal is cleaned with Methyl Ethyl Ketone and the lens withHexane. An adhesive such as 34D manufactured by Synthetic Surfaces,Scotch Plains, N.J. is then used to adhere the lens to the face seal.The mask is then cured, depending upon the requirements of theparticular silicone, and the completed mask is removed from the mold.

[0035] An important aspect of the invention is the ability to combinethe flexibility of the mask seal and lens with the inflatable harness inorder to provide previously unavailable levels of lens field of view,storability, comfort, wearability and sealing in a mask that is alsoproviding sufficient optical quality for use under high stressconditions by flight crews. While a variety of regulators may be used,in a presently preferred embodiment, one regulator suitable for use withthe mask is the Puritan-Bennett oxygen pressure regulator previouslyutilized in the Puritan-Bennett Sweep On 2000 Crew Mask, availablewithout a lens but with an inflatable harness made of silicone tubingoverlaid with Nomex® braided material. This demand regulator alsoprovide the ability to adjust the pressure in the inflatable harness,and thus the comfort of the harness, by access to a crew control knob orlever on the side of the demand regulator assembly. The demand regulatorassembly also provides for a means to provide purging air to the insideof the lens assembly via suitably arranged passages in the mask.

[0036] A second presently preferred embodiment addresses the desirablebenefits, for cost, reliability and manufactureability reasons, tomanufacture the mask as a single piece lens and face seal assembly outof transparent silicone of the type suitable for use as a flexible lensmaterial. It has been found that such a configuration further simplifiesthe design of the mask by eliminating the manufacturing step of sealingthe lens with the balance of the face seal, and avoiding irregularitiesin flexibility associated with discontinuities between materials and thetransition between the lens and the face seal. Similarly to thepreviously described embodiments, the forward lower portion of the faceseal is molded to accommodate the demand flow regulator and the attachpoints of the inflatable harness straps to provide a complete assembly.In this alternative method of construction, the area of the moldrepresenting the lens is finished to a sufficiently high opticalaccuracy for the intended purpose and the mold is configured to provideappropriate thickness to the lens area in comparison to the balance ofthe mask. Then, an optical quality clear silicone is used to mold themask and to thus provide an integrally formed mask and lens assembly. Ina presently preferred embodiment, a General Electric Silicone known as454-3243 Ultra Tufel “Water Clear, Fast Cure can be used to mold such amask and provide acceptable clarity, flexibility, strengths and damageresistance capabilities.

[0037] From the forgoing, it will be appreciated that the crew emergencymask assembly of the present invention allows for a substantiallyimproved field of view and stowability while still providing acomfortable and highly effective mask for use in hazardous circumstancesin the flight deck of a high performance aircraft.

[0038] While several forms of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will also be apparent that various modifications can bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited except asby the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A quick-donning full face oxygen mask for use in oxygendepleted environments and environments contaminated by smoke or otherpollutant comprising: a flexible face seal, said face seal including apliable, flexible periphery conformable to a wearer's face, said faceseal further including a plurality of mounting points for an inflatableharness attached to said face seal, said face seal further includingmeans to attach an oxygen supply regulator and means to mount a flexibleoptical lens in the region overlying the eyes of the wearer, said lenssurrounded by said face seal; said flexible lens sealingly attached tosaid face seal at its periphery to thereby bond and seal said lens tosaid face seal; said inflatable harness including at least one tubeconnected to said oxygen regulator and supplied oxygen by saidregulator, said tube extending around the rear of the head of the wearerand attached to said face seal by said attach points, said harnessfurther including adjustable straps attached to said tube and to saidface seal at position which allow the adjustment of the harness for sizeand comfort by the user; and passages between said regulator and theinterior of said face seal to provide oxygen or other breathing gas tosaid user, a portion of said breathing gas being conducted to theinterior surfaces of said lens to prevent fogging, said mask seal andsaid lens being of sufficient flexibility to allow said mask to berolled into an essentially cylindrical configuration for storage.
 2. Themask of claim 1, further comprising at least one microphone mountedwithin said mask seal to provide communications when said mask is beingworn.
 3. The mask of claim 1, wherein said harness further comprises aplurality of inflatable tubes connected to said oxygen regulator andadjustably connected to said mounting points on said mask seal by saidadjustable straps.
 4. The mask of claim 1, wherein said inflatable tubescomprise flexible elastomeric tubes covered with a flame retardantmaterial.
 5. The mask of claim 4, wherein said flame retardant materialis Nomex®.
 6. The mask of claim 1, wherein said flexible lens furthercomprises a flexible lens made of transparent silicone material havingan abrasion resistant coating deposited on the surfaces of said lens. 7.The mask of claim 1, wherein said regulator includes means to adjust thepressure of gas delivered to said harness tube.
 8. An oxygen mask foruse by flight crews during decompression or the like which comprises: aflexible face seal surrounding a flexible lens mounted within said faceseal, said face seal further comprising means to mount a pressureregulator supplying breathing gas to the wearer, said pressure regulatorconnected to a source of breathing gas, said pressure regulator furtherincluding means to supply breathing gas to an inflatable harness mountedon said face seal, said inflatable harness including at least oneflexible tube passing around the rear of the head of the wearer andconnected to said face seal by straps and mounting attachments on saidface seal, said mask being capable, by virtue of the flexible lens andmask seal, of being rolled into a relatively small volume for storage onthe flight deck of an aircraft.
 9. The mask of claim 8, wherein saidflexible lens is coated with an abrasion resistant coating.
 10. The maskof claim 8, wherein said straps include means to adjust the length ofsaid straps to accommodate various head sizes.
 11. The mask of claim 8,further comprising at least one microphone mounted within said mask sealto provide communications when said mask is being worn.
 12. The mask ofclaim 8, wherein said harness further comprises a plurality ofinflatable tubes connected to said oxygen regulator and adjustablyconnected to said mounting points on said mask seal by said adjustablestraps.
 13. The mask of claim 8, wherein said inflatable tubes compriseflexible elastomeric tubes covered with a flame retardant material. 14.The mask of claim 13, wherein said flame retardant material is Nomex®.15. An oxygen mask for use by wearers exposed to an oxygen depleted orpolluted environment, said mask comprising: a combination face seal andflexible lens molded as a single unit, said mask further comprisingmeans to receive a pressure regulator in said mask for providingbreathing gas for the wearer and gas to inflate an inflatable harnesspassing around the head of the wearer and attached to said face seal bystraps attached to said harness and said mask.
 16. The mask of claim 15,wherein said flexible lens is coated with an abrasion resistant coating.17. The mask of claim 15, wherein said straps include means to adjustthe length of said straps to accommodate various head sizes.
 18. Themask of claim 15, further comprising at least one microphone mountedwithin said mask seal to provide communications when said mask is beingworn.
 19. The mask of claim 15, wherein said harness further comprises aplurality of inflatable tubes connected to said oxygen regulator andadjustably connected to said mounting points on said mask seal by saidadjustable straps.
 20. The mask of claim 15, wherein said inflatabletubes comprise flexible elastomeric tubes covered with a flame retardantmaterial.
 21. The mask of claim 20, wherein said flame retardantmaterial is Nomex®.